Join mixed media artist Lindy Trenholm for an exciting new workshop— Pages, Portals and Tales in the Bellissima Art Studio June 18-20, 2027.
What if a book could become a doorway? In this hands-on workshop, we will transform an ordinary board book into a unique Book of Portals and Tales—a dimensional artwork filled with openings, images, textures and unexpected discoveries.
Using fabric, paper, found materials, and ephemeral elements, we will alter and layer the existing pages to create portals that invite the viewer to look beyond the surface.
We will develop a visual story through color, texture, composition, and dimension, transforming a simple book into an imaginative, sculptural object.
Explore the possibilities of a book as a doorway –where each page can lead to somewhere new.
“Pages become portals. Portals become stories.”
Itinerary
Day 1, Friday June 18. We will meet in the Bellissima Art Studio at 9:30 a.m. We will have introductions and Lindy and Kathie will go over the schedule. Lunch will be provided. The day will end at 4:30 p.m.
Bellissima Art Studio, Port Orchard, WA
Day 2, Saturday, June 19. We will meet in the studio at 9:30 a.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided today.
Day 3, Sunday, June 20. Meet in the studio at 9:30 a.m. We will continue working on our books until a late lunch to give everyone time to add the final touches to their books. After lunch, we will clean up and have our Show’N Tell. The workshop will be over around 4:00 p.m.
This Art Escape includes
Three days instruction by Lindy
Three lunches, one dinner
Some Art Supplies
Private Facebook Page
New art tribe
The cost of this workshop is $800. A non-refundable $500 deposit is due upon registering. The remaining $300 is due March 18, 2027
Port Orchard is the site for the workshop. The location is 9 miles north of Gig Harbor, WA which is listed as one of the most desirable cities in the US to visit (or live). It is located south of Seattle, across the Narrows Bridge on Hwy 16.
The Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter stops in Gig Harbor and in Port Orchard.
There are many AirBNBs and B&Bs in the area. A list of accommodations will be provided if requested.
We will provide
Gaffer Tape
Cold Wax
Sandpaper
Wood Burner
Dremel
Floral Wire 26 Gauge
Neutral Colored Cotton Fabric for transfers
Coffee and Walnut Crystals
Water soluble graphite pencil
Double Sided Tape
Glue Gun and Glue sticks
Newsprint
Gel medium
Liquid Matte Medium
Colored Pencils
Rusted nails
Upholstery tacks
Artist Supply List
Board Book. Shown is 6 x 7” — Any size will work, just choose one with thicker pages and 12 or more pages
Vintage Book Covers —Front and Back (this is optional). You can use the original cover of your book if desired. Kathie has some that she will share.
Fabric — one light weight cotton or linen to cover entire book. One medium weight for spine.
Scraps of ribbon and trim. (Again, Kathie has lots to share)
Paper — old book pages, paper scraps, specialty papers
Images — we will be transferring images onto fabric. These will be the main images on your page. They will need to be printed on a laser printer. You can bring non-laser for the rest. Bring subject matter connected to the story you want to tell.
Wax thread for binding. Cotton and/or embroidery thread
Exacto Knife and Scissors
Ruler and Awl
Found Objects — We will be cutting out portals and niches in this book. Round rusted gaskets, small rusted frames or small tin box bottoms, optional lenses, frozen charlotte, old paint brushes, rusted keys, etc. Nothing too thick that will prevent the page from closing. Use your imagination!
Lindy Trenholm is a mixed media artist, maker of books and collector of creative possibilities. Her work lives somewhere between storytelling and visual fantasy, where ordinary materials are transformed into unexpected worlds.
With a background in creative visual display, she has spent years bringing imagination to life through design and craftsmanship – from creating couture dresses made entirely from books to transforming ordinary show windows to miniature fantasy scenes for Tiffany & Co.
She loves the process of creating: cutting, layering, stitching and altering. In her workshops she invites you to play with materials, follow your inner imagination and create something that is uniquely yours.